Audible vs Kobo: What you need to know

Looking for audiobook service options? Learn everything you need to know in our Audible vs Kobo books comparison.

Audiobook services are becoming the standard for readers worldwide. More and more people are listening to books instead of reading them for many reasons such as improved accessibility for persons with disabilities, the benefits of multitasking, and being able to listen to your favorite books while on-the-go, much like a podcast. This increase in popularity also means more audiobook services are active in the market. Some of the notable sites for audiobooks and e-books include Audiobooks.com, Google Play Books, Downpour, and Scribd. In addition, there are services that specialize in public domain works like Librivox which has many audiobooks. Finally, options like Overdrive allow users to borrow audiobooks from their local libraries. Here, however, we’re comparing Kobo and Audible books to see which provider offers the best services.

Kobo is one of the most affordable audiobook providers out there, and Audible is the most popular

Of the available offers, two audiobook providers stand out: Kobo and Audible. Kobo is one of the most affordable services out there, while Audible is the most popular. Here, we’re comparing Audible with Kobo as we review their pros and cons. At the end, we’ll give you our final verdict and recommend an alternative service that might be more attractive to users.

Kobo

Launched by parent company Rakuten Kobo in Canada, the service started in 2017. While Kobo hasn’t been around for long, its low prices have made it widely popular. Here are the pros and cons of Kobo at a glance:

Pros

• Vast library
• Users can keep their audiobooks
• Easy to buy extra credits
• User-friendly
• Can buy books without membership

Cons

• Low compatibility
• No return policy

Kobo: Library size and variety

Kobo has a large library, counting more than five million books. Of course, this means that Kobo books cover nearly all genres and categories. But not every title will be available at all times. New books may get released by country, so some readers might have to wait for those Kobo audiobooks to become available in their country or region.

Kobo: App and website

Kobo doesn’t function via a website. The only way to listen to books from this service is through the Kobo app or one of Kobo e-readers, although you can learn more about their products at kobo.com. The website is also where you can learn about Kobo’s subscription plans, known as Kobo Plus. Users can exchange Kobo Super Points for additional rewards. The mobile app is available for download at the Kobo store and has both Android and Apple iOS app versions. Some of the Kobo’s e-book readers include the Kobo Elipsa, Kobo Libra 2, and Kobo Sage.

Kobo: Support and exchange

In terms of support, Kobo Inc. has a good customer service that’s always ready for user contact. In fact, getting in touch with their support team is a must in case of book returns. Their exchange policy isn’t particularly clear, and the service doesn’t seem to have any exchange options.

Audible

Amazon’s Audible got an early start back in 2008. Since then, the service has grown more popular each year—far beyond the U.S. where it started. Let’s take a quick look at the Amazon service’s pros and cons:

Pros

• Audible Originals and exclusive content
• Three audiobooks monthly
• Compatible with many devices
• Return policy
• User-friendly

Cons

• A bit pricey
• No extra credits
• Smaller selection of books

Audible: Library size and variety

Audible has over 200,000 books, including bestsellers, non-fiction, and various other categories. With the premium audiobook subscription service, users can access the most popular titles. In addition, members can get Audible Originals every month. These are audiobooks made exclusively for Audible.

Audible: App and website

Audible audiobook app is available for iPhone and Android phones. Also, Audible audiobooks are ready for playback on PCs, Macs, smart TVs, Kindle, and the Alexa smart speaker.

Audible: Support and exchange

If the book you’ve bought on Audible turns out not to be the best audiobook for you, you can return or exchange it within a year from the purchase date.

Which is better, Kobo or Audible books?

Audible is still a more complete service than Kobo. Its library includes many bestsellers and highly popular books. Plus, Audible’s policies are clear and user-friendly. After all, Audible has been in the market for much longer. As a result, it has a more organized structure and well-defined plans. On the other hand, Kobo might be attractive due to its vast selection and low pricing. It will be more suitable for users who want easy access to great audiobooks on a budget.

Another option: Speechify Audiobooks

Book lovers are always on the hunt for more places to read and listen to their favorite books, and Speechify Audiobooks is another great contender in the lineup alongside Kobo and Audible. With tens of thousands of titles—and growing—this easy-to-use platform makes catching up on trending books, exciting genres like science fiction, and literary classics alike a breeze. Check out Speechify Audiobooks today and enjoy a free audiobook.